For  Official  Use  Only 


WIRE  ENTANGLEMENTS 

ADDENDA  NO.  1 
TO  ENGINEER  FIELD  MANUAL 


Reprint    of   pamphlet   prepared   by   the   General 

Staff  Headquarters,  American  Expeditionary 

Forces,  France,  February,  1918. 


Edited  at  the 

WAR  PLANS  DIVISION 
April,  1918 


WAR  DEPARTMENT. 

Document  No.   792. 
Office  of  The  Adjutant  General. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT. 

Document  No.  792. 
Office  of  The  Adjutant  General. 


WAR  DEPARTMENT, 

WASHINGTON,  April  29,  1918. 

The    following    pamphlet    entitled    "Wire    Entanglements,"    an 
Addenda  No.  1  to  Engineer  Field  Manual,  is  published  for  the  infor- 
mation of  all  concerned.     This  pamphlet  supersedes  War  Depart- 
ment document  No.  729,  "Instructions  on  Wiring." 
[082.1  A.  G.  O.] 

BY  ORDER  OF  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR, 

PEYTON  C.  MARCH, 

Major  General,  Acting  Chief  of  StajJ. 
OFFICIAL: 

H.  P.  McCAIN, 

The  Adjutant  General. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

INTRODUCTION 5 

Standard  patterns 5 

GENERAL  PRINCIPLES 5 

Location 5 

Design 6 

Construction '.....  6 

NOTES  ON  MATERIAIS  AND  PRELIMINARY  PREPARATIONS   .      ...  7 

Barbed  wire 7 

Pickets 7 

Wire  cutters 8 

Mauls 8 

Ribardwire.    .    . 8 

Method  of  making  ribard  wire 8 

Method  of  preparing  spirals  of  loose  wire 9, 

Man  loads 9 

TlME  AND  MEN  REQUIRED 9 

GENERAL  RTLES  FOR  ALL  DRILLS 10 

Order  of  work.    .- 10 

Pickets 10 

Running  out  wires 11 

Fixing  wires. 11 

DESCRIPTION  p*1  THE  STANDARD  OBSTACLES 11 

Ribardwire 12 

Low  (or  knee-high)  entanglement 12 

Double  apron  fence 12 

Portable  wire  obstacles 12 

The  knife  rest 13 

The  ribard  wire 13 

The  gooseberry 13 

The  hedgehog 13 

DRILL      I. — For  50  yards  standard  double  belt  ribard  wire   .    .  13 
DRILL    II. — For  50  yards  standard  low  (or  knee-high)  entangle- 
ment     15 

DRILL  III. — For  50  yards  standard  double  apron  fence  ....  18 

'Continued  on  next  page) 


664371 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

(Continued} 
APPENDIX 

PAGE 

French  high  wire  entanglement 20 

DRILL  IV. — For  50  yards  standard  French  high  wire  entangle- 
ment    20 

PLATE         I. — Enfilade  of  entanglement;  caps  in  the  belt    of 

wire;  si/es  of  screw  pickets .  23 

PLATE       II.— Method  of  coiling  rope  on  face  of  maul;  frame- 
work for  making  spirals;  winch    for    making 

spirals 24 

PLATE     III. — Running  out  coil  of  wire;  fixing  wire  on  eyes  of 

screw  picket 25 

PLATE      IV. — Windlassing;  large  knife  rest;  method  of  block- 
ing trench  with  knife  rest 26 

PLATE        V. — Barbed  wire  gooseberries;  hedgehog 27 

PLATE      VI. — Method  of  making  ribard  wire 28 

PLATE    VII.— Standard  double  belt  ribard  wire 29 

PLATE  VIII. — Standard  low  wire 30 

PLATE     IX. — Standard  double  apron  fence 31 

PLATE       X. — Standard  French  high  wire  entanglement     ...  32 


WIRE  ENTANGLEMENTS 

ADDENDA  NO.    1   TO   ENGINEER   FIELD    MANUAL 
INTRODUCTION 

1.  The  object  of  these  notes  is  to  standardize  the  construction  of 
obstacles  throughout  the  American  Expeditionary  Forces  and  to 
limit  the  patterns  taught  and  used.  Such  portions  of  previously 
published  works  on  wire  entanglements,  as  conflict  with  these  notes, 
will  not  be  used  by  the  troops  in  France. 

2.  To  insure  that  all  training  is  directed  to  the  same  purpose,  these 
patterns  of  entanglements  and  the  drills  for  erecting  them  will  be 
standard  and  will  have  the  force  of  regulations.     Units  are  forbidden 
to  adopt  any  other  types  without  previous  sanction.     If  any  better 
type  or  drill  is  discovered,  the  fact  should  be  reported.     The  new 
method  will  then  be  thoroughly  tested  and  if  found  more  satisfactory, 
will  be  officially  substituted  for  the  old  one,  and  all  the  units  in 
training  will  be  so  informed. 

3.  If  the  occasions  demands  it,  these  standard  obstacles  may  be 
modified  to  suit  such  conditions  as  may  arise,  due  to  lack  of  men, 
materials,  etc.,  but  only  by  the  substitution  of  smooth  for  barbed 
wire,  the  use  of  wooden  pickets  for  screw  pickets,  or  the  omission  of 
portions  of  the  obstacle,  such  as  one  of  the  aprons  of  the  apron  fence. 
Men  trained  according  to  the  standard  drills  should  be  able  to  con- 
struct the  modified  entanglements  without  special  practice. 

4.  The  following  are  the  patterns  adopted: 

(1)  Belts  of  ribard  wire. 

(2)  Low  wire  entanglement. 

(3)  Double  apron  fence. 

(4)  French  high  wire  entanglement. 

(5)  Portable  wire  obstacles. 

Troops  will  be  trained  in  the  construction  of  the  ribard  wire,  the 
low  wire  entanglement,  the  double  apron  fence  and  portable  wire 
obstacles.  The  French  high  wire  entanglement  is  included  in  this 
book  for  the  use  of  troops  serving  on  the  French  front. 

GENERAL  PRINCIPLES 

5.  Location. 

Barbed  wire  entanglements  should  be  located  in  accordance  with 
the  following  principles: 

(a)  They  must  be  covered  at  every  point  by  our  own  rifle  or 
machine  gun  fire,  either  frontal  or  enfilade.  Special  emphasis 
must  be  laid  on  FLANQUEMENT,  that  principle  which  consists  in  so 
siting  the  entanglement  and  machine  gun  positions  in  reference  to 
each  other  that  the  front  of  the  entanglement  is  swept  by  the  fire 
from  the  machine  guns.  It  is  the  most  important  consideration  in 
siting  barbed  wire  entanglements  (see  Fig.  I).'- 

5 


(6)  They  must  not  be  too  far  from  the  trench,  in  order  to  be  under 
observation  and  control  at  all  times,  especially  at  night. 

(c)  They  must  not  be  too  near  our  own  trench,  so  as  to  prevent 
enemy  patrols  bombing  from  outside  of  entanglement.     This,  in 
conjunction  with  (6)  above,  fixes  its  location  at  a  distance  varying 
generally  from  30  to  CO  yards. 

(d)  They  must  be  concealed  as  much  as  possible  from  the  enemy's 
observation,  both  terrestrial  and  aerial,  especially  from  his  ground 
artillery  observation  stations.     Full  advantage  should  be  taken  of 
depressions  in  the  ground,  tall  grass,  woods  and  reverse  slopes. 

(e)  The  belt  of  wire  should,  as  far  as  possible,  avoid  paralleling  the 
fire  trench;  and  in  addition  should  be  irregular  in  width  and  height. 
The  first  consideration  will  prevent  the  enemy  artillery  from  ranging 
on  the  trenches  to  destroy  the  entanglement;  the  second,  from  know- 
ing definitely  when  the  wire  has  been  destroyed. 

Special  precaution  must  be  taken  in  locating  the  entanglement  to 
avoid  indicating  the  manner  in  which  the  ground  is  occupied.  The 
location  of  the  ground  should  be  supervised  by  an  engineer  officer 
or  other  officer  detailed  for  that  purpose  in  order  that  it  may  be  made 
to  conform  to  the  general  organization  of  the  ground  prescribed  by 
the  commander. 

6.  Design: 

The  following  principles  govern  the  design  of  the  entanglements: 
(a)   Within  limits  a  broad,  thin  entanglement  is  better  than  a 

narrow,  thick  one;  the  former  being  just  as  effective,  and  less  liable 

to  destruction  by  artillery  fire,  as  well  as  less  visible,  especially  in 

aerial  photographs. 

(6)  Two  belts  of  entanglements,  separated  by  a  space  of  from 

10  to  50  yards,  are  better  than  the  same  amount  of  entanglement  in 

one  belt. 

(c)  The  entanglement  must  be  well  supported  and  anchored  to 
the  ground  by  means  of  pickets  and  posts,  so  as  to  be  difficult  to 
flatten  out  or  drag  aside. 

(d)  It  must  have  sufficient  barbed  wire  to  prevent  easy  penetra- 
tion.    Some  loose  tangled  wire  in  the  entanglement  is  difficult  to 
clear  aside  after  the  wire  is  cut. 

(e)  It  should  be  simple  in  design  in  order  to  be  built  rapidly  and 
quietly  at  night  in  close  proximity  to  the  enemy. 

(/)  The  entanglement  should  be  provided  with  blinded  gaps  for 
passage  of  our  men.  The  gap  usually  left  is  about  12  feet  in  every 
50  yards.  The  actual  number  will  depend  largely  upon  the  tactical 
situation,  the  activity  of  the  sector,  how  heavily  the  line  is  held,  and 
who  has  the  offensive.  Means  to  block  these  gaps  must  be  at  hand 
(see  Fig.  2). 

(g)  It  should  present  in  its  first  stages  an  obstacle,  behind  which 
the  wiring  party  can  work  under  protection  and  which  can  be  added 
to  and  improved  as  desired. 

7.  Construction: 

(a)  The  entanglement  is  constructed  generally  by  the  infantry 
under  the  supervision  of  infantry  officers. 

(6)   The  best  men  should  be  selected  for  the  wiring  party  proper. 
(~)   In  case  the  entanglement  is  to  be  erected  in  close  proximitv 


to  the  enemy,  patrols  should  be  sent  out  in  front  to  protect  the 
working  party.     Men  not  working  should  lie  on  the  ground. 

(d)  Rapidity  of  construction  depends  on: 

( 1)  Simplicity  of  design. 

(2)  Confidence  of  men  in  handling  wire. 

(3)  Careful  organization  of  parties  and  material. 

(e)  Points  to  remember  in  working  out  drill: 

(1)  Use  as  few  men  as  possible,  scattered,  not  bunched. 

(2)  See  that  groups  work  in  echelon  in  same  direction,  and  never 
cross  paths. 

(3)  As  far  as  possible,  do  not  work  on  enemy  side  of  obstacle. 

(4)  Use  a  simple  pattern  so  arranged  that  no  group  will  have  to 
step  over  wire  previously  laid  by  another  group. 

NOTES  ON  MATERIALS  AND  PRELIMINARY 
PREPARATIONS 

8.  Barbed  wire: 

(a)  Length. — The  length  of  wire  on  a  reel  varies  from  50  yards  to 
100  yards.     Reels  will,  if  possible,  be  issued  in  standard  50-yanl 
lengths.  * 

(b)  Weight. — The  weight  including  drum  is  about  28  pounds  for 
the  100-yard  reel,  and  15  pounds  for  the  50-yard  reel. 

(c)  Marking.   End  of  Wire. — The  plain  wire  securing  a  reel  of 
barbed  wire  must  be  cut,  and  a  piece  of  sandbag  or  white  cloth  tie; I 
to  the  running  ends  in  order  that  there  will  be  no  difficulty  in  finding 
it  at  night;  also  the  pieces  of  tin  on  the  wooden  drums  must  be  broken 
off  to  prevent  noise.     All  this  must  be  done  before  material  is  t-ikeu 
out  for  work. 

9.  Pickets: 

(a)   Wooden. 

Long.  Short. 

Length 5  ft.  2^  ft. 

Diameter 3  to  3}4  in.  2}^  to  3  in. 

•     (b)   Screw.     (See  Fig.  3.) 

Long.           Medium.  Short. 

Length 5  ft,              3^  ft.  11A  ft. 

Diameter '. ^  in.              ^  in.  flJ  in. 

Weight Long  9  Ibs.   Short  6  Ibs.  Anchorage  3  Ibs. 

(c)  Angle  iron  (British  type). 

Length 5  ft.  10^  in.  and  3  ft.  6  in. 

Weight 10  Ibs.  and  6  Ibs. 

((/)  For  carrying,  all  bundles  of  screw  and  iron  pickets  should  be 
wrapped  round  with  a  sand  bag  and  secured  in  at  least  two  places 
by  a  turn  of  plain  wire  with  the  ends  twisted  together.  Enough  end 
to  this  wire  must  always  be  left  so  that  it  can  be  untwisted  by  hand 
without  pliers. 

(e)  Bundles  of  long  wooden  pickets  should  be  tied  together  in  at 
least  two  places  with  plain  wire.  Short  wooden  pickets  are  best 
carried  in  sand  bags,  eight  in  each  bag;  two  bags  are  tied  together 
and  slung  over  the  shoulder. 


10.  Wire  cutters: 

It  very  seldom  occurs  that  there  are  enough  wire  cutters  to  give  a 
pair  to  every  man  in  a  wiring  party  (party  consists  of  not  more  than 
25  men).  If  stores  have  been  properly  prepared  beforehand,  there 
is  no  necessity  for  more  than  two  pairs  to  each  party,  which  should 
be  carried  for  use  in  emergency. 

11.  Mauls: 

Should  be  prepared  with  coiled  rope  fastened  on  end  to  deaden 
sound  (Fig.  4).  Where  rope  is  not  available,  sandbags  should  be 
carried  to  place  on  head  of  pickets. 

12.  " Ribard  wire:" 

(a)  This  entanglement  is  copied  from  the  French.     It  consists  of 
a  framework  of  heavy  steel  wire  rings  spaced  3  feet  4  inches  apart 
and  connected  by  barbed  wire.      • 

(b)  Its  chief  advantages  are  its  low  degree  of  visibility;  the  fact 
that  it  can  be  made  up  behind  the  line  and  carried  out  to  its  place; 
that  it  is  resilient  and  therefore  hard  to  destroy  with  artillery,  or 
crush  by  a  weight  thrown  upon  it;  and  that  it  is  rapid  and  simple  of 
construction. 

(c)  After  twisting  the  "Ribard"  cylinder  (see  paragraph  13e)  into 
a  compact  coil,  bind  with  white  tracing  tape  in  three  places.     The 
coils  must  not  be  bound  with  wire  as  this  binding  may  be  difficult 
to  find  at  night. 

(d)  A  "Ribard"  coil  is  a  one  man  load  in  narrow  trenches.   Across 
country  one  can  carry  two,  or  at  a  pinch,  three  coils  strung  on  a  stick 
over  his  back. 

(e)  Two  men  are  required  to  untwrist  and  place  a  "Ribard"  coil. 

13.  Method  of  making  "Ribard"  wire  (Plate  VI): 

(a)  Make  a  wooden  table  4  feet  square,  describe  a  circle  3  feet 
4  inches  in  diameter  on  the  surface,  and  drive  nails  as  shown  on 
diagram  (Fig.  15). 

(b)  With  heavy  steel  smooth  wire,  3/16  to  ^  inches  in  diameter, 
make  a  circle  of  two  turns  around  the  nails.     Bind  tightly  at  several 
points  on  the  circumference.     WTith  light  smooth  wire,  about  1/16 
inch  in  diameter  inscribe  two  equilateral  triangles  in  the  circle  as 
shown  in  Fig.  16,  binding  tightly  at  the  points  "S"  and  "J." 

(c)  Build  a  wooden  frame  3  ft.  4  in.  high,  21  ft.  8  in.  long.     Make 
cuts  in  the  frame,  or  make  cleats  to  hold  the  circles  (Fig.  17). 

(d)  Place  the  circles  in  the  frame,  and  connect  the  points  of  the 
triangles  by  three  diagonal  barbed  wires  as,  AA',  BB',  CC'  or  D'D", 
E'E",  F'F".     Connect  the  six  points  of  the  inscribed  star  by  hori- 
zontal barbed  wires;  a,  b,  c,  d,  e,f.     Bind  the  horizontals  and  diago- 
nals to  each  circle,  and  the  diagonals  where  they  cross  with  smooth 
wire  ligaments  (Fig.  18). 

(e)  Take  the  entanglement  out  of  the  frame.     One  man  grasps 
one  end,  another  the  other  end;  both  twist  strongly  to  the  right,  ap- 
proaching each  other  at  the  same  time.     The  cylinder  rolls  up  to  a 
small  bundle.     Place  it  on  the»ground,  compress  it  with  the  feet,  and 
bind  with  three  ligaments,  preferably  white  tracing  tape.     It  is  now 
a  coil  which  can  be  transported  to  the  front,  and  there  unrolled  for 
use. 

(/)  Two  men  work  at  each  table  making  circles.  Three  men  work 
at  each  frame  wiring  the  cylinder  together. 


(g)  Average  time  per  cylinder  is  twenty  minutes.  Wire  required: 
Barbed,  70  yards;  heavy  steel  wire,  50  yards;  light  smooth  wire,  40 
yards.  Short  lengths,  of  smaller  wire. 

14.  Method  of  preparing  spirals  of  loose  wire: 

(a)  The  task  of  throwing  loose  wire  into  an  entanglement  is  a 
long  and  tedious  one.  It  is  made  very  much  easier  and  quicker  if  the 
wire  is  coiled  in  a  spiral  beforehand. 

(6)  To  do  this,  drive  in  two  3-foot  stakes,  3  feet  apart,  and  two 
more  at  right  angles  to  them  1  foot  6  inches  apart  as  shown  in 
Fig.  5.  Then  wind  75  yards  of  barbed  wire  around  this  diamond- 
shaped  framework,  gradually  working  it  up  the  stakes  in  a  spiral. 
Finally,  take  the  spiral  off  the  stakes,  and  tie  it  together  in  four 
places  with  plain  wire. 

(c)  A  spiral  thus  made  can  be  easily  carried  on  his  shoulder  by  a 
man  in  a  trench. 

(d)  If  spirals  are  needed  in  large  quantities,  a  winch,  as  shown 
in  Fig.  6,  is  useful  and  saves  time  and  labor. 

15.  Man  loads  (Convenient  Approximations): 

A rerage 
Number,      trial  weight. 

Wooden  pickets  (long) 4 

Wooden  pickets  (short) 16 

Screw  pickets  (long) 4  36  Ibs. 

Screw  pickets  (medium) 6  36  Ibs. 

Angle  iron  pickets  (long) 4  45  Ibs. 

Angle  iron  pickets  (short) 6  27  Ibs. 

Barbed  wire— 1 00  yard  reel 1  28  Ibs. 

Barbed  wire — 50  yard  reel 2  30  Ibs. 

Loose  wire — spirals 1  20  Ibs. 

Ribard  wire — coils 1  25  Ibs. 

Anchorage  pickets 8  26  Ibs. 

TIME  AND  MEN  REQUIRED 

16.  The  following  table  showing  time  and  men  required  to  con- 
struct the    different   standard    entanglements    is    based    on    the 
assumption    of   work    under   the   following   conditions,    with   good 
average  parties,  not  picked  men: 

(a)  Stores  are  taken  up  by  a  separate  carrying  party  as  far  as  fire 
trench  only. 

(6)  The  entanglement  is  erected  40  to  50  yards  from  fire  trench; 
stores  have,  therefore,  to  be  carried  out  that  distance  by  wiring 
party. 

(e)  Men  work  equipped  to  meet  attacks. 


Table: 


Y\~iring                 Carrying 

party. 

party. 

Average 

Average 

Pattern  and  Length 

time  by 
daylight. 

time  by 
night. 

X.C.O. 

Men. 

N.C.O. 

Men. 

50  yards  double  belt  of  ribard 

wire  

1 

10 

1 

21 

15  rnin. 

25-35  m. 

50  yards    low    or    knee-high 

wire.  .  .  

1 

7 

1 

17 

30  min. 

1-1  Ji  hrs. 

5  0  yards  double  apron  fence  . 

1 

9 

1 

15 

30  min. 

M-l  hr. 

50  yards    French    high    wire 

entan^ement  

2 

34 

1 

25 

15  min. 

y2-H  hr. 

Notes: 

(1)  The  size  of  the  carrying  parties  should  be  regulated  so  that 
wiring  party  will  not  be  delayed  by  lack  of  material.  The  carrying 
parties  given  above  can  carry  at  one  trip  sufficient  stores  for  fifty 
yards  of  entanglement.  If  more  than  50  yards  are  to  be  con- 
structed, say  200  yards,  four  times  as  many  men  must  carry.  How- 
ever, if  the  material  dump  is  close,  and  the  round  trip  from  the 
dump  to  the  work  can  be  made  in  a  short  time,  say  one  hour,  it  may 
be  possible  to  make  two  trips,  and  cut  the  carrying  party  in  half. 
For  instance,  if  the  entanglement  chosen  is  the  double  apron  fence, 
requiring  thirty  minutes  to  each  50  yards,  total  time  for  the  200 
yards,  two  hours,  and  the  dump  is  one  hour  round  trip  away,  the 


SO 


necessary  material  can  be  carried  by  1  N.  C.  O.  and   (         '*)   or 

men.  In  other  words,  the  size  of  the  carrying  party  will  vary  with 
the  length  of  the  entanglement  to  be  built  and  with  the  distance  of  the 
material  dump  from  the  work. 

(2)  For  long  lengths  of  entanglement  (over  100  yards),  a  small 
additional  carrying  party  of  three  or  four  men  is  formed  to  supply 
the  wiring  party  with  material  from  front  line  trench,  and  also  to  fill 
places  left  vacant  by  casualties. 

GENERAL  RULES  FOR  ALL  DRILLS 

17.  Order  of  work: 

In  the  following  drills,  all  men  have  been  given  a  number,  and  the 
tasks  should  be  initiated  in  the  order  in  which  the  men  are  numbered, 
and  should  be  carried  through  in  echelon,  so  that  the  men  doing 
different  tasks  will  not  be  in  each  other's  way. 

18.  Pickets: 

(a)  Spacing. — The  N.  C.  O.  determines  the  location  of  the  pickets 
in  one  row  by  means  of  pacing;  the  pickets  are  located  in  the  other 
rows  by  eye  in  the  intervals. 

(6)  Laying  out. — Pickets  should  always  be  carried  under  the  left 
arm  and  placed  on  the  ground  with  the  right  hand,  and  in  such  a  way 

10 


that  the  end  of  the  screw,  or  the  point  of  the  picket,  faces  the  enemy, 
indicating  the  spot  at  which  the  picket  is  to  be  erected. 

(c)  Erection. — Screw  pickets  must  be  screwed  in  so  that  the  loops 
are  parallel  to  the  length  of  the  entanglement,  and  the  top  loop 
points  in  the  direction  from  which  the  men  are  working,  i.  e.,  toward 
the  starting  point.     (This  rule  is  essential  in  order  to  facilitate 
placing  wires.) 

(d)  Anchor  pickets. — Wooden  pickets,  used  as  holdfasts,  should  be 
driven  in  roughly  at  right  angles  to  the  stay  wire  that  is  attached 
to  them,  but  screw  anchorage  pickets  must  be  put  is  the  direction  of 
this  stay  wire  or  they  will  be  drawn  in  the  direction  of  the  strain. 

19.  Running  out  wires: 

In  running  out  barbed  wire,  two  men  work  together;  one  man 
holds  the  reel  and  the  other  stretches  the  wire  and  fastens  it  to  the 
pickets.  The  stake  on  which  the  reel  is  carried  must  be  small 
enough  so  that  the  coil  revolves  easily  on  it,  and  it  must  be  held  so 
that  the  wire  runs  from  underneath  the  reel,  and  not  from  the  top, 
for,  if  held  the  latter  way,  the  wire  tends  to  rise  into  the  man's  face 
(Fig.  .7). 

20.  Fixing  wires: 

(a)  Men  fixing  the  wires  must  always  work  facing  the  enemy. 

(b)  To  fix  wire  in  top  eye  of  screw  picket:  Pull  the  standing  end 
taut  and  slip  the  wire  up  into  the  eye,  turn  the  running  end  up  over 
the  eye,  thus  threading  the  wire  in  the  eye.     Then  take  a  turn  with 
the  running  end  around  the  picket  below  the  eye  (see  Fig.  8). 

(c)  To  fix  the  wire  in  lower  eye  of  screw  pickets  when  there  is 
already  a  wire  in  the  top  eye: 

(1)  Pull  the  standing  end  taut  and  slip  the  wire  up  into  the  eye 
Then  take  the  bight  on  the  running  end,  pass  it  around  the  picket 
above  the  eye,  then  finish  off  by  taking  a  turn  with  the  bight  on  the 
running  end  (see  Fig.  9). 

(2)  If  one  eye  is  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  pickets  from  the  others, 
the  wire  must  be  forced  down  into  the  eye,  and  the  bight  on  the  run- 
ning end  passed  around  the  picket  under  the  eye. 

Notes: 

The  above  rules  (b)  and  (c)  apply  whichever  way  the  wire  men  are 
working,  from  right  to  left,  or  left  to  right,  and  if  carried  out,  the  wire 
will  be  firmly  fixed  in  the  eye,  and  cannot  slip  up  or  down  the 
picket;  also,  if  one  bay  is  cut,  the  wire  in  the  bays  on  either  side 
remains  taut,  and  does  not  slip  through  the  eyes. 

(d)  To  fix  the  wire  to  wooden  pickets,  take  two  turns  around  the 
picket,  the  second  turn  binding  the  first  turn.      (Staples  are  not  used 
as  the  above  method  is  quieter  and  faster.) 

(e)  To  fix  one  wire  to  another,  adjacent  to  it,  a  short  length  of 
smooth  wrire  may  be  used,  or  the  two  wires  may  be  twisted  together 
by  means  of  a  rack  stick,  used  as  shown  in  Fig.  10.     This  method  is 
known  as  "  windlassing." 

DESCRIPTION  OF  THE   STANDARD   OBSTACLES 

The  addition  of  loose  wire  and  a  trip  wire  certainly  make  the  entan- 
glement more  efficient,  and  it  can  be  made  as  quickly  as  the  French 

11 


wire  itself  can  be  erected.  The  organization  of  the  wiring  party  is 
so  arranged  that  two  spare  men  can  do  this.  If  circumstances 
therefore  demand  that  the  trip  wire  and  the  loose  wire  should  be 
omitted,  the  organization  of  the  rest  of  the  party  is  not  affected. 

I.  RIBARD  WIRE. 

21.  This  is  a  rapid  entanglement  consisting  of  two  parallel  rows 
of  pickets,  6  feet  between  rows,  with  horizontal  wire  along  the  top 
of  each  row.     Under  each  of  these  fences  are  placed  seven  ribard 
cylinders — wired,  together  end  to  end,  anchored  to  the  ground   with 
iron  staples,  and  windlassed  to  the  horizontal  wire  along  the  top. 
It  combines  high  speed  with  value  as  an  obstacle  and  resistance  to 
artillery  fire. 

22.  The  double  belt  is  given  as  the  standard,  but  it  is  obvious  that 
more  belts  may  be  laid  when  thought  necessary. 

II.  Low  (OR  KNEE-HIGH)  ENTANGLEMENT. 

23.  This  entanglement  consists  of  three  rows  of  medium  pickets, 
a  horizontal  wire  along  the  top  of  each  row,  one  diagonal  wire  in 
each  of  the  two  bays  formed  by  the  three  rows,  and  finally  loose  wire 
thrown  into  the  bays. 

24.  It  is  not  a  very  effective  entanglement,  but  its  chief  value  lies 
in  the  fact  that  it  is  not  conspicuous.     It  is  the  slowest  entanglement, 
to  erect  at  night,  if  screw  pickets  are  used,  as  the  latter  are  very  hard 
to  find.     This  difficulty  can  be  overcome  by  laying  down  a  spun  yarn 
line  or  tracing  tape. 

III.  DOUBLE  APRON  FENCE. 

25.  This  entanglement  consists  of  four  horizontal  strands  on  the 
fence,  and  three,  including  the  trip  wire,  on  each  apron. 

26.  Taking  into  consideration  the  following  points: 

(a)  Effectiveness. 

(b)  Amount  of  preparation  required  beforehand. 

(c)  Size  of  the  carrying  party. 

(d)  Rapidity  and  simplicity  of  erection. 

The  double  apron  fence  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  best  patterns 
of  entanglement  yet  evolved,  and  •tands  up  against  shell  fire  or 
Bangalore  torpedoes  as  well  as  any  other  pattern.  For  very  rapid 
work  over  long  lengths,  the  back  apron  was  often  omitted  at  the 
beginning  of  the  war,  and  the  entanglement  thus  modified  was  found 
amply  sufficient  to  hold  up  the  most  determined  enemy  attacks. 
The  value  of  the  entanglement  lies  chiefly  in  the  front  apron — which 
should  never  be  omitted.  The  men  work  behind  the  wire  the  whole 
time,  and  there  is  no  stepping  over  wires  previously  erected. 

27.  Belts  of  double  apron  fences  form  an  excellent  framework  for 
a   wide  obstacle;   ribard  wire,   gooseberries,   or  loose   wire  can   be 
thrown  in  between  the  bays  for  thickening  purposes. 

IV.  PORTABLE  WIRE  OBSTACLES. 
(See  Plates  IV  and  V.) 

28.  These   special   forms   consist  of  various   different   shapes   of 
framework  upon  which  is  strung  barbed  wire.     They  are  used: 

12 


(a)  To  block  gaps  in  the  entanglement. 

(b)  To  throw  out  in  front  of  the  trenches  as  an  emergency  obstacle. 

(c)  To  block  up  narrow  streets  in  defended  villages,  and  trenches 
leading  toward  the  enemy. 

(d)  To    make    emergency    repairs    to    entanglements    partially 
destroyed  by  the  enemy's  fire. 

29.  The  principal  forms  are: 
(a)  The  knife  rest. 

(6)  The  ribard  wire. 
(c)  The  gooseberry. 
(rf)  The  hedge  hog. 

30.  The  knife  rest: 

This  obstacle  consists  of  a  framework  of  wood  or  iron,  upon  which 
is  strung  barbed  wire.  The  iron  framework  is  collapsible  and  hence 
easier  to  transport  as  well  as  being  more  difficult  to  see  and  stronger 
than  the  wooden  type.  In  shape,  the  framework  of  the  knife  rest  is 
of  the  same  appearance  as  a  common  saw-buck.  It  is  the  most  often 
used  of  the  portable  obstacles  (see  Fig.  11  for  a  diagram  of  a 
wooden  knife  rest,  and  Fig.  12  for  a  drawing  showing  one  method  of 
blocking  a  trench). 

31.  The  ribarb  wire: 

This  entanglement  has  been  described  in  paragraphs  21  and  22. 
The  cylinders  are  much  used  for  closing  gaps,  blocking  trenches,  and 
for  hasty  repair  to  existing  entanglements. 

32.  The  gooseberry: 

It  consists  of  barbed  wire  balls  connected  by  spirals  of  the  same 
material.  It  is  used  principally  to  block  trenches.  For  this  pur- 
pose the  balls  should  be  made  with  a  diameter  slightly  greater  than 
that  of  the  trench  in  order  that,  when  jammed  into  place,  they  will 
be  more  difficult  to  remove  (see  Fig.  13). 

33.  The  hedgehog: 

This  form  has  a  wooden  framework  consisting  of  two  crosspieces 
nailed  together  at  right  angles  and  a  third  nailed  at  right  angles  to  the 
plane  of  the  other  two  (see  Fig.  14) .  It  is  used  in  the  same  situation 
as  the  gooseberry. 

DRIIL  I. 

Drill  for  50  Yards  Standard  Double  Belt  Ribard  Wire. 
Material: 

(1)  Four  bundles  containing  four  long  screw  pickets  each. 

(2)  One  bundle  containing  four  anchorage  pickets. 

(3)  Fourteen  coils  ribard  wire. 

(4)  Two  coils  barbed  wire. 

(5)  Thirty-two  staples. 

(6)  Twenty-four  strips  No.  8  plain  wire,  8  inches  long. 
Wiring  party: 

One  N.  C.  O.  and  ten  men.  The  N.  C.  O,  carries  cutting  pliers; 
Nos.  1  and  2  each  carry  twelve  wire  strips;  Nos.  9  and  10  each  carry 
sixteen  staples.  All  carry  windlassing  sticks.  Gloves  as  desired. 

Carrying  party: 

One  N.  C.  O.  and  twenty-one  men. 

13 


1 


3 


II 


11, 


an 


II 

§.2 


I! 


Detail: 

(1)  The  N.  C.  O.  leads  out  whole  party  to  the  head  of  the  work, 
and  all  numbers  undo  their  bundles. 

(2)  The  N.  C.  O.  indicates  to  No.  1  where  to  lay  down  first  anchor- 
age pickets  of  the  two  belts.     He  then  paces  out  and  indicates  to 
Nos.  2,  3,  4,  and  5  where  to  lay  their  long  pickets,  and  to  No.  1 
•where  to  lay  the  anchor  pickets  at  the  other  end  of  the  belts.     Each 
number  then  screws  in  his  own  four  pickets. 

(3)  Parties  C  and  D  bring  out  two  Ribard  coils  each  on  the  first 
trip.     On  the  second  trip  Nos.  6,  7,  8  and  9  each  bring  out  one  coil, 
and  No.  10  brings  out  a  coil  of  barbed  wire.     All  undo  their  bundles 
and  make  ready  for  .erection. 

(4)  Each  pair,  beginning  with  Nos.   1  and  2,  and  ending  with 
Nos.  9  and  10,  carries  out  and  places  on  the  front  line  of  pickets  one 
Ribard  coil,  extending  it  to  its  full  length  and  dropping  over  the 
line  of  pickets.     Nos.  1  and  2  start  wiring  the  coils  together,  end  to 
end,  working  from  left  to  right,  No.  1  on  the  enemy  side,  No.  2  on 
our  side.     Nos.  3  and  4  and  Nos    5  and  6  bring  up  two  more  coils  and 
place  them  on  the  front  line. 

(5)  Meanwhile  Nos.  7,  8,  9  and  10  have  placed  two  coils  on  the 
second  line.     Then  parties  B,  C,  and  D  place  four  more  coils  on  the 
second  line.     Party  D  starts  stapling  down  the  first  belt,  placing 
staples  at  each  end  and  in  the  center  of  each  coil.     Party  B  runs  the 
horizontal  wire  along  the  top  of  the  pickets  of  the  first  belt.     No.  3 
runs  out  the  barbed  wire  coil,  No.  4  fixes  the  end  to  the  head  anchor- 
age picket,  and,  pulling  the  wire  taut,  fixes  it  to  the  top  of  each  long 
picket,   finally  finishing  off  on  the  end  anchorage  picket.     No.  5 
windlasses  the  coils  up  to  the  horizontal  wire  at  points  about  one  foot 
on  either  side  of  the  pickets  and  at  points  about  midway  between 
them. 

(6)  Nos.  7  and  8  place  the  last  coil  on  the  second  line.     No.  6 
carries  a  coil  of  barbed  wire  to  the  head  of  the  second  belt  and  fixes 
the  end  to  the  head  anchorage  picket.     He  is  then  joined  by  Nos. 
7  and  8,  and  the  three  run  the  horizontal  wire  of  the  second  belt,  No. 
6  running  out  the  coil,  No.  7  fixing  the  wire,  and  No.  8  windlassing. 

(7)  Party  A  wires  together  the  coils  of  the  second  belt,  as  soon  as 
it  finishes  the  first,  working  the  same  as  before.     Party  D  staples 
down  the  first  belt  and  then  the  second. 

Notes: 

(1)  To  prepare  Ribard  coils  for  erection,  two  men  seize  the  ends 
and,  twisting  in  opposite  directions,  straighten  it  out. 

(2)  If  wooden  or  angle  iron  pickets  are  used,  the  N.  C.  O.  and 
No.  1,  No.  2  and  No.  3,  and  No.  4  and  No.  5  work  together;  the 
N.  C.  O.,  Nos.  2  and  4  holding  up  the  pickets  while  Nos.  1,  3,  and 
5  drive  them  in. 

DRILL  II. 

Drill  for  50   Yards  Length  Standard  Low  (or  Knee-high)    Wire 

Entanglement. 
Materials: 

(1)  Nine  bundles  containing  six  medium  pickets  each. 

(2)  Two  coils  (100  yards)  and  three  coils  (50  yards)  barbed  wire. 

(3)  Four  spirals. 

15 


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3rd  Task. 

upervision. 

Diagonal 
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Loose 
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1st  Task. 

Carry 
it  3  bundles  pickets 
2  coils  (100  yards) 
barbed  wire. 

Carry 
it  3  bundles  pickets 
three  coils  (50  yards) 
barbed  wire. 

Carry 
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Detail: 

(1)  The  N.  C.  O.  leads  out  the  whole  party  and  gets  all  his  stores 
dumped  in  some  convenient  spot  behind  or  near  the  head  of  the  task. 
Each  party  is  responsible  for  its  own  stores  as  detailed  above;  A 
being  the  larger  party  will  be  ready  first. 

(2)  When  ready,  the  N.  C.  O.,  followed  by  Nos.  1,  2  and  3,  paces 
out  and  indicates  to  No.  1  where  to  lay  pickets.     As  soon  as  No.  1  has 
finished  his  bundle  he  screws  in  6  pickets.     The  N.  C.  O.  then 
follows  the  same  procedure  with  Nos.  2  and  3. 

(3)  As  soon  as  the  N.  C.  O.  has  thus  laid  out  his  center  line  of 
pickets,  he  returns  to  the  head  of  the  task  and  supervises  the  laying 
of  the  outer  and  inner  line  of  pickets  by  B  and  C  parties. 

(4)  As  soon  as  A  party  has  finished  its  pickets,  it  returns  to  the 
head  of  the  work  and  puts  on  the  diagonal  in  the  outer  bay.     No.  1 
runs  out  the  coil,  only  No.  2  fixes  wire  on  the  outer  line  of  pickets, 
and  No.  3  fixes  the  wire  on  the  center  line  of  pickets. 

(5)  As  soon  as  B  party  has  finished  its  pickets,  it  returns  to  the 
head  of  the  work  and  puts  the  horizontal  wire  on  the  outer  line.of 
pickets;  No.  4  running  out  the  coil  and  No.  5  fixing  the  wire  on  the 
pickets. 

(G)  As  soon  as  C  party  has  finished  its  pickets,  it  throws  the  spiral 
wire  into  the  outer  bay,  two  spirals  in  each  50  yards  bay. 

(7)  When  B  party  has  finished  the  horizontal  wire  on  the  outer 
line  of  pickets  it  comes  back  to  the  head  of  the  work,  and  puts  the 
horizontal  wire  on  the  center  line  of  pickets.     Similarly  A  party  and 
C  party  return  to  the  head  of  the  work  and  repeat  the  operations 
stated  in  paragraphs  4  and  6  in  the  home  bay. 

(8)  Finally  B  party  puts  the  horizontal  wire  on  the  inner  line  of 
pickets. 

Notes: 

(1)  The  best  men  should  be  in  A  party  and  the  next  best  should  be 
in  B  party. 

(2)  Three  men  are  put  in  A  party  as  it  has  by  far  the  most  difficult 
task  to  perform.     If  this  is  not  done  it  will  be  found  that  the  other 
parties  are  continually  waiting. 

(3)  From  Paragraph  5  it  can  be  seen  that  B  party  has  to  work  in 
front  of  the  diagonal  wire  laid  by  A  party;  but  B  party  having  a 
much  easier  task  will  overtake  them  and  reach  the  end  of  the  work 
first.     It  automatically  begins  the  horizontal  wire  on  the  center  line 
of  pickets  before  A  party  is  ready  to  start  on  the  diagonal  wire  on  the 
inner  bay. 

(4)  If  the  loose  wire  is  not  made  up  in  spirals,  three  men  should 
be  put  in  C  party,  as  it  is  slow  work  to  uncoil  the  wire  and  throw  it 
in  loose. 

(5)  All  low  wire  entanglements  are  slow  at  night  owing  to  the 
difficulty  of  seeing  the  pickets.     If  circumstances  permit  of  tracing 
tape  or  spun  yarn  being  laid  down  along  the  center  line  of  pickets, 
this  difficulty  may  be  to  a  great  extent  overcome,  and  all  parties  get 
their  direction  automatically.     If  tracing  tape  is  used,  it  can  and 
must  be  taken  up  after  the  entanglement  is  finished. 

(6)  No  change  in  the  drill  is  necessary  if  wooden  or  angle  iron 
pickets  are  used. 

17 


DRILL  III. 

Drill  for  50  Yards  Standard  Double  Apron  Fence. 
Materials: 
(})  Four  bundles  containing  four  (long)  pickets  each. 

(2)  Four  bundles  containing  eight  anchorage  pickets  each. 

(3)  Fourteen  coils  (50 yards)  barbed  wire  or  two  ceils  (100  yards) 
and  ten  coils  (50  yards). 

Wiring  Party: 

One  N.  C.  O.  and  nine  men.     The  N.  C.  O.  carries  cutting  pliers 
and  each  of  the  party  a  windlassing  stick.     Gloves  as  desired. 
Carrying  Party: 
One  N.  C.  O.  and  fifteen  men. 

Tasks: 


Party. 

Nos. 

1  st  Task. 

2nd  Task. 

3rd  Task. 

4th  Task. 

5th  Task. 

N.  C.  0. 

Direction  and  supervision. 

A 

1 
2 
3 

Carry  out 
3  bundles 
pickets. 

Screw 
in  long 
pickets. 

Front 
diagonal 
wire. 

Bottom 
wire 
on  fence. 

Rear 
diagonal 
wire. 

B 

4 

5 

Carry  out 
2  bundles 
anchorage 
pickets. 

Screw 
in  front 
anchorage 
pickets. 

Front  trip 
wire. 

2nd  wire 
on  fence. 

Top  hori- 
zontal wire 
on  rear 
apron. 

C 

6 

7 

Carry  out 
2  bundles 
anchorage 
pickets. 

Screw 
in  rear 
anchorage 
pickets. 

2nd    hori- 
zontal  wire 
on  front 
apron. 

3rd  wire 
on  fence. 

2nd    hori- 
zontal \vire 
on  rear    . 
apron. 

D 

8 
9 

Carry  out  1  bundle  of 
pickets  and  14  coils 
barbed  wire. 

Top 
horizontal 
wire  on  front 
apron. 

Top  wire 
on  fence. 

Trip  wire 
on  rear 
apron. 

Details: 

(1)  The  N.  C.  O.  leads  out  the  whole  party  to  the  head  of  the  work 
and  A,   B,  and  C  parties  undo  their  bundles,   when  ready.     The 
N.  C.  O.  paces  out  and  indicates  to  A  party  where  to  lay  its  pickets, 
commencing  with  No.  1  and  finishing  with  No.  8.     Having  done  this, 
the  N.  C.  O.  returns  to  the  head  of  the  work,  picks  up  the  fourth 
bundle  which  D  party  has  brought  out,  walks  back  again,  and  lays 
out  this  bundle;  all  numbers  of  A  party,  as  they  .finish  four  pickets, 
join  the  N.  C.  O.  and  screw  in  these  last  four  pickets. 

(2)  Meanwhile  B  and  C  parties,  getting  the  direction  from  the 
center  line  of  the  long  pickets,  lay  out  and  screw  in  the  whole  of  the 
anchorage  pickets,  No.  4  being  responsible  for  the  anchorage  picket 
at  the  head  of  the  work,  and  No.  7  for  the  anchorage  picket  at  the 
end  of  the  work.     Each  number  of  both  parties  lays  out  and  screws  in 
his  own  bundle  of  pickets. 

18 


(3)  Meanwhile  D  party  brings  out  the  remainder  of  the  stores 
nnd  dumps  them  at  any  convenient  spot  indicated  by  the  N.  C.  O. 
This  means  that  each  man  has  to  do  four  journeys. 

(4)  As  soon  as  A  party  has  finished  its  pickets  it  returns  to  the 
head  of  the  work  and  puts  on  the  front  diagonal  wire.     No.  1  runs 
out  the  coil,  No.  2  fixes  the  wire  on  the  pickets,  and  No.  3  fixes  the 
wire  oh  the  anchorage  pickets. 

(5)  As  B,  C,  and  D  parties  finish  their  second  task  (see  tasks) 
they  return  to  the  head  of  the  work  and  put  the  horizontal  wire  on 
the  aprons.     Nos.  4,  6,  and  8  respectively  run  out  the  coils,  while 
Nos.  5,  7,  and  9  windlass  the  wires  on  the  diagonal  wire.     In  doing 
this  Nos.  5,  7,  and  9  should  not  step  over  the  diagonal  wire,  but  walk 
round  the  posts,  lifting  their  wire  over  the  posts,  and  then  down  into 
position  on  the  diagonal  wire. 

(6)  As  they  finish  each  task  the  various  parties  return  to  the  head 
of  the  work  and  carry  on  with  the  next  task  in  the  order  given. 

Notes: 

(1)  The  best  men  should  be  put  in  A  party  and  the  next  best  in  B 
party;  the  next  best  in  C  party,  and  the  last  in  D  party. 

(2)  Three  men  are  put  in  A  party,  as  it  has  by  far  the  most 
difficult  task  to  do. 

(3)  All  men  work  behind  the  wire  the  whole  time. 

(4)  Nos.  1  and  2  must  be  careful  to  put  the  diagonal  wire  on  fairly 
slack;  it  automatically  gets  tightened  up  when  the  horizontal  wires 
are  windlassed  on. 

(5)  All  diagonal  wires  and  apron 'wires  are  begun  and  finished  on 
the  end  anchorage  pickets.     The  horizontal  strands  on  the  fence  are 
not  taken  down  to  the  end  anchorage  pickets. 

(6)  If  wooden  or  angle  iron  pickets  are  used,  Nos.  1  and  2  and  No. 
3  and  the  N.  C.  O.  work  together,  No.  2  and  the  N.  C.  O.  holding 
up  the  pickets  while  Nos.  1  and  3  maul  them  in. 


APPENDIX 

FRENCH  HIGH  WIRE  ENTANGLEMENT  (SEE  PLATE  X) 

1.  This  entanglement  consists  of  two  parallel  rows  of  pickets 
staggered.     On  these  rows  are  strung  three  fences,  two  parallel  to 
the  front  and  one  zig-zag  connecting  the  two  rows.     Each  fence  con- 
sists of  two  horizontal  and  two  diagonal  wires. 

2.  Among  the  advantages  of  this  pattern  of  wire  may  be  listed  the 
following: 

(a)  Men  work  in  succession  and  in  the  same  direction  from  a 
flank. 

(6)  Men  are  not  bunched  and  never  have  to  step  over  wjre  pre- 
viously strung. 

(c)  Men  never  have  to  work  on  the  enemy  side  of  the  wire. 

(d)  Presents  very  quickly  a  complete  obstacle  which  is  always 
between  the  wiring  party  and  the  enemy  and  which  may  be  added  to 
as  desired. 

3.  This  pattern  is  regarded  as  especially  important  since  trenches 
to  be  occupied  by  the  American,  troops  have  in  front  of  them  at  the 
present  time  large  quantities  of  thi&  entanglement  which  must  con- 
stantly be  repaired.     It  has  generally  been  employed  by  the  French 
in  belts  10  yards  wide.     The  pattern  is  one  that  lends  itself  very 
readily  to  deepening  the  entanglement  as  far  as  desired. 

DRTI.L  IV. 

Drill  for  50  Yards  French  High  Wire  Entanglement. 
Materials: 

(1)  Thirteen  bundles  containing  four  long  screw  pickets  each. 

(2)  Twenty-one  coils  of  barbed  wire,  50  yards  each. 

(3)  Nine  anchorage  pickets. 
Wiring  Party: 

Two  N.  C.  O.'s.  and  thirty-four  men.  The  N.  C.  O.'s.  carry 
cutting  pliers.  All  numbers  carry  windlassing  sticks.  Gloves  as 
desired. 

Carrying  Party: 

One  N.  C.  O.  and  twenty-five  men. 


20 


Tasks: 


Party. 

Nos. 

1st  Task. 

2nd  Task. 

3rd  Task. 

N.  C.  O. 

Traces  first  line. 

Supervision 
of  front  panel. 

Supervision 
of  rear  panel. 

N.  C.  O. 

Carries  out  one 
bundle  of  pickets 
traces  rear  line. 

Supervision 
of  zig-zag  panel. 

Supervision 
of  anchorage 
pickets  and  wires. 

A 

1 

2 
3 

Carry  out  12 
bundles  of  pickets. 

Sets  pickets 
of  front  panel. 

Place  anchor  pickets 
and  anchor  wires. 

B 

4 
5 
6 

Set  pickets  of  rear  panel. 

C 

7 
8 

Screw  in  pickets 
of  front  panel. 

^  Screw  in  anchor 
pickets  aand  windlass 
anchor  wires. 

D 

9 
10 

Screw  in  pickets 
of  rear  panel. 

Screw  in  anchor 
pickets  and  windlass 
anchor  wires. 

E 

11 

12 

String     bottom      horizontal     wire      front 
panel. 

13 
14 

Carry  out 
twenty-one 
coils  of  wire. 

String  bottom  diagonal  wire  front  pane!. 

15 
16 

String  top  diagonal  wire  front  panel. 

17 
18 

String  top  horizontal  wire  front  panel. 

P 

19 
20 

String    bottom      horizontal    wire    zig-zag 
panel. 

21 

22 

String  bottom  diagonal  wire  zig-zag  panel. 

23 
24 

String  top  diagonal  wire  zig-zag  panel. 

25 
26 

String  top  horizontal  wire  zig-zag  panel. 

G 

27 
28 

String  bottom  horizontal  wire  rear  panel. 

29 
30 

String  bottom  diagonal  wire  rear  panel. 

31 

32 

String  top  diagonal  wire  rear  panel. 

33 

String  top  horizontal  wire  rear  panel. 

34 

Carries  out  nine 
anchor  pickets. 

21 


Detail: 

(1)  The  senior  N.  C.  O.  leads  the  whole  party  to  the  head  of  the 
work  and  all  numbers  undo  their  bundles. 

(2)  The  senior  N.  C.  O.  paces  the  front  panel  of  the  entanglement, 
and  marks  points  where  pickets  are  to  be  placed.     Party  A  follows 
him,  fixing  pickets  lightly  in  the  ground.     Party  C  screws  the  pickets 
in. 

(3)  The  junior  N.  C.  O.  and  parties  B  and  D  set  the  rear  panel 
of  pickets  in  the  same  manner. 

(4)  Of  party  E,  numbers  11  and  12  string  the  bottom  horizontal 
of  the  front  panel;  13  and  14  the  bottom  diagonal;  15  and  16  the  top 
diagonal;  and  17  and. 18  the  top  horizontal. 

(5)  Party  F  string  the  zig-zag  panel  and  party  G  the  rear  panel  in 
the  same  manner,  corresponding  numbers  executing  corresponding 
tasks. 

(«)  Party  A  places  anchorage  pickets  and  anchor  wires.  Parties 
C  and  D  screw  in  anchorage  pickets  and  windlass  anchor  wires. 

(7)  Wires  are  loosely  strung.     Each  wire  is  wrapped  around  the 
post  and  around  those  wires  which  precede  it.  f 

(8)  It  is  to  be  noted  that  when,  men  finish  their  tasks,  they  get 
under  cover.     When  halted  temporarily   in  their  work,  they   lie 
down. 

Notes: 

(1)  If  a  deeper  belt  is  needed,  a  third  row  of  posts  may  be  added 
and  so  on  as  far  as  desired,  always  stringing  the  zig-zag  panel  first 
and  the  rear  panel  second. 

Time  of  construction  of  three  row  entanglement  (4  yards  depth) 
20  minutes;  of  six-row  entanglement  (10  yards  depth)  \}/±  hours. 
Same  detail  does  all  the  work. 

(2)  If  wooden  or  angle  iron  pickets  are  used,  numbers  7  and  9  hold 
the  posts  while  numbers  8  and  10  maul  them  in. 

(3)  When  wooden  posts  are  used,  care  must  be  taken  to  make  two 
complete  turns  of  the  wire,  the  second  turn  binding  the  first. 

(4)  Nine  anchorage  pickets  have  been  set  down  in  the  drill,  one 
to  each  end  picket  and  the  rest  spaced  equally  between.     More  or 
less  can  be  used  as  circumstances  decree;  the  extra  pickets  to  be 
carried  by  numbers  33  and  34;  and  placed  by  the  same  numbers,  and 
in  the  same  manner  as  the  nine  now  described. 


PL  AT  P.  I 


Enfilade  fire  from  machine  gun  support  not 


Fig.  7.  -  ENFILADE  OF  ENTANGLEMENT. 





Weight  about  G  Ibs.    ^'  Weight  about  6  lb«.          <; 

Fig.  3.  —  SCREW  PICKET  FOR  BARBED  WIRE  ENTANGLEMENT. 


PLATE   II 


Face  of  maul  .  Sideview  of  maul. 

Fig.  4.  -  COILCO  ROPE  ON  MAUL 


Perspective  riew. 

Fiff.  5.  —  FRAMEWORK  FOR 
MAKING  SPIRALS. 


Fig.  6.  —  WINCH  FOR  MAKING  SPIRALS. 


PLATE  III 


Wrong. 


i     7    —  RIGHT  £NQ  WRONG  WAY  OF  BUNKING  OUT  I  COIL  OF  BARBED  WIRE. 


Running  end 


Running  end. 


Top  ey«  with  wire  forced          2nd  Operation.  Running  end  turned         Wire  threaded  in  eye  an* 
up  hito  it.  over  towards  the  end  of  the  loop.  a  round  turn  taken  below 

die  eye. 

Fig.  8,  *,.b,  c.  -  METHOD  OF  FJSTEHING  BARBED  WIRE  ON  PICKET. 


Running  «pd. 


end.. 


Wire  forced  up  into  a  lower  eye  of  picket  Bight  finished  off  on  the  running  end. 

«nd  the  bight  taken  round  the  picket  above  the  eye. 


Fif.  9.  -  METHOD  OF  FASTENIN6  BARBED  WIRE  ON  PICKET. 


PLATE 


This  end  up  and  over. 


Trip  wire. 


This  end  do\\a  aud  under. 
-   10.    -  WINOUSSING  WIRE. 


11.   --  URGE  KNIFE  REST  (WOOD). 


,  >yi  nutiiltii'liBfcjj 


Kaifc  lU-sl  in  fij-st  position.  Knife  Rest  in  second  position. 

Fig.   12.  -     METHOD  OF  BLOCKING  TRENCH  WITH  KNIFE  REST. 


PLATE  V 


Fig.  13.  —  BARBED  WIRE  GOOSEBERRIES. 


Fig.  14.  -  HEDGEHOG. 


PIATB  VI 


RIBARD  WIRE 


4* 
Fig.  15. 


Fif.  16. 


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Photomount 
Pamphlet 

Binder 
Gay  lord  Bros. 

Makers 
Stockton,  Calif. 

PAT.  JAN.  21.  1908 


YC 


U.C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


COOM1S72E7 


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